It’s all in the detail

Following a nice day out at Longbridge yesterday, I decided it was time to stop ignoring all those little cosmetic issues that my Polski-Rover has and get them sorted once and for all.

Don’t worry – by that I don’t mean that it’s rusting or has picked up some nasty stonechips – but what has been niggling me (and you, judging from the feedback I’ve had) is the lack of a bonnet badge, the incorrect door mirrors and the hubcaps, all of which are missing their centre caps.

The mirrors had been bothering me the most and, considering the rarity of the rubber items used on the original SD1, I thought it might be a case of living with them for quite some time. Except that the day I rolled up into the office for the first time in my new car, colleague Mark Dixon, produced a brand new one from a fresh Unipart box. Wow.

Of course, one isn’t good enough really so, after posting a notice on the Rover SD1 Owners’ Club forum asking for one, fellow member Tim Leech shouted that he had one. And so, that’s why at Longbridge yesterday, he’s coming up to me with another fresh Unipart box in his hand, saying ‘here you go’. Wow again.

So, it seemed churlish of me not to fit them. And you know what, despite my reservations, I love them. So, thanks guys for being so generous. Karma is a great thing and it’s nice when something nice like that happens to me…

Boxes filled with joy...

The bonnet badge was also a problem. The Poles had lost the original and, when restoring the bonnet, they decided to fill the mounting holes with brass. Not good when you need to fit a new badge. Anyway, in the end, I removed the fixing pins from the back and trim-taped the elegant looking skeletal badge to the front of my car. Again, I haven’t particularly missed it, but now it’s on, I think it looks great.

The hubcaps – again – have their correct badges in the middle and look great all polished up.

My car now therefore looks complete. Those missing items may not have been any real significance but, now they’re on, the magnificence of Bache’s design stands up under even the closest scrutiny.

Speaking to people at the Pride of Longbridge show yesterday, it’s clear that there are many who have been delighted to see my old SD1 restored to (more than) its original glory. And to see the delight in show-goers’ eyes when they saw the car gave me real pleasure indeed. I hope it’s also inspired a few of you to follow suit…

wow!! what a fantastic job done!!! you’re fueling problem was exactly what i had in my old sd1 years ago…..1991 i think!haha!!!
glad to see there are still fans of these great cars out there!! well done!!!

THE GUARDIAN At Cowley, a recommendation from local union officials for a resumption of work after a six week strike by 1,150 assembly workers was approved at a meeting by a narrow majority The stoppage [...]